The person in charge of operating a public water system shall be?

Prepare for the American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

The key idea is that the operator in charge must meet the specific certification standard set by the state for water system operation. In this case, that means being certified as defined in subpart 5-4. Subpart 5-4 lays out the exact certification level, exams, training, and ongoing requirements tailored to the system’s class and complexity. By requiring certification under that subpart, the regulation ensures the person supervising daily operations has proven competence and is legally authorized to manage the specific type of public water system.

Being simply “certified water operator” is not enough if the certification doesn’t align with the subpart that governs operator qualifications. The other options—registration with a health department, licensing by an engineering board, or a generic certification—do not specify the formal credentialing framework that the state uses to designate who may operate a public water system.